The Society Today

Colin and Capt. John with Gold Medals

After a hiatus of more than 25 years, The Eagle Pipers’ Society has been resurrected by three piping stalwarts intent on putting Edinburgh piping back on the map.

Colin MacLellan, Euan Anderson and Iain Speirs are well known in piping circles and have a long record of success in both solo piping and with pipe bands. Each of their fathers, Capt. John MacLellan, MBE, James Anderson and Tom Speirs were leading lights in piping and prominent committee members of The Eagle Pipers’ Society in its heyday.

Tom and Iain with the Silver Chanter

As it was in the beginning, the Society today is open to anyone with an interest in the Great Highland Bagpipe and we invite you to join us to play, to listen or simply to enjoy good company.

The Eagle Pipers’ Society meets throughout the year at the Scots Guards Club on Clifton Terrace, Haymarket in Edinburgh’s West End. The venue is ideal for playing and listening to pipes, as well as for its location, opposite Haymarket Train station, close to major bus routes and with ample parking on the surrounding streets or at Morrison Street car park.

The Anderson Eagles

Meetings start at 8.00pm and are held every other Tuesday. Check on the website for updates.

Colin, Splendid idea with reforming The Eagle Pipers. I had probably my best experiences at the West End Hotel and the places after back in the seventies, those few times I had the opportunity to listen to the greats. Last time you and Jenny were in Copenhagen, you mentioned that my tie (Eagle Pipers) represented a fortune, yes – you are right. I think I were in the possession of a life membership, but anyway life must go on, so I will pay again, but please, send me a new tie.

I was looking forward to coming over in August and collecting my Tie but unfortunately I am unable to fly over this year as I have been elected once more as President of “The Highland Pipers Society of W.A. Inc” also as “Director of Ceremonies of the Lodge”, so I think it will be out this year sorry to say. Hopefully I will be able to travel over in 2011
Is it at all possible to send my tie over please so I can wear it in the Society.

Just confirming my address:-

Tom Polson
Unit 52 / 24 Freedman Road
Menora 6050
Western Australia.

Thankyou Iain and all the best to you and members of the “Eagle Pipers Society.”

One of my band members mentioned your organization recently. I will be in Edinburgh on 12 and 13 December this year, and would like to pop in to one of your meetings if there happens to be one going on then.

I’m afraid I find your website far too complicated for an old bloke like me. First introduced to the Eagle pipers at the West End Hotel in the early seventies, by Uisdean MacLean, twin brother of Coinneach, nephews of Sorly MacLeanl. Fabulous piping and of course most people there had the Gaelic. Met Pipe Major Stoddart – a mate of mine started lessons but unfortunately couldn’t continue due to work and family commitments.

I apologise if my spelling is awry.

Unable to afford Australia any more, I hope to be back in Edinburgh late May. Can’t wait to hear the boys…….and girls of course!

Dear Sirs,
My name is David Siegel, a composer of pipe music from Haifa, Israel. On 13th August 2013 in your blog, it is stated that a piper from Israel (named as Martan, but perhaps Matan?) played a tune of mine, the White Sands of Gaza. I can assure you that the tune does not commemorate blood or violence. It has a somewhat deeper, introspective set of values behind it. Yet, whatever spurs any of us to compose a tune, I would hope that it stands on its own melodic merits. As the composer, I present the notes, and hope that the piper who performs it plays on a well-tune set with even blowing, clean fingers and musical expression.

I was a visitor the Eagle Pipers back in the mid-1970s, Willie Sinclair, who had made a set of pipes for me, suggested the society as a place to hear piping and meet pipers. Those were memorable days for me. I am very happy to know that the society is resurrected and thriving. Edinburgh deserves a strong piping centre.